Saint Basil Cathedral on Red Square, Moscow, stock photography by Auto Exposure The story behind "Saint Basil Cathedral on Red Square, Moscow" I am back :) Sorry for the long dry spell, but I was busy leading a team in Russia. Of course I took my camera, so the next week or so I will post some images of the largest country on earth, starting of with the most famous sight: St Basil’s cathedral at Red Square. Красная площадь, Krasnaya ploshchad) is the Russian name of th square, right next to the Kremlin. As Krasnaya means Red as well as Beautiful, it is assumed that the colour red has little to do with the name, but the beauty of the place was referred to when it was renamed. Originally the beauty referred to the Cathedral shown above: The Cathedral of Intercession of the Virgin on the Moat (Russian: Собор Покрова что на Рву or simply Pokrovskiy Cathedral, better known as the Cathedral of Saint Basil the Blessed or Saint Basil’s Cathedral – Russian: Собор Василия Блаженного).

Legend has that the architects Barma and Postnik were blinded after finishing the building, so that they could not create anything of greater beauty… In the front of the cathedral stands a bronze statue commemorating Dmitry Pozharsky and Kuzma Minin, who rallied Russia’s volunteer army against the Polish invaders during the Time of Troubles in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. The statue was originally constructed in the center of Red Square, but the Soviet government felt it obstructed parades and moved the statue in front of the cathedral in 1936. The initial concept was to build a cluster of chapels, one dedicated to each of the saints on whose feast day the tsar had won a battle, but the construction of a single central tower unifies these spaces into a single cathedral. Legend says that Ivan had the architect, Postnik Yakovlev, blinded to prevent him from building a more magnificent building for anyone else. Saint Basil’s Cathedral should not be confused with the Moscow Kremlin, which is situated right next to it on Red Square. It is not at all a part of the Moscow Kremlin. However, many publications do make the mistake of calling this structure the Kremlin.

The misconception has inadvertently been reinforced by Western television journalists, who have often stood in front of St. Basil’s during their reports. (Thanks to WikiPedia for additional info used) ( 3 comments add yours : click the link above the image, or share using the buttons.) Share your Planet! Saint Basil the Blessed | church, Moscow, Russia | Britannica.com Saint Basil the Blessed Alternative Titles: Cathedral of Saint Basil the Blessed, Cathedral of the Intercession, Pokrovsky Cathedral, Pokrovsky Sobor, Svyatoy Vasily Blazhenny Similar Topics Volga-Don Canal Saint Basil the Blessed, also called Pokrovsky Cathedral, Russian Svyatoy Vasily Blazhenny or Pokrovsky Sobor , church constructed on Red Square in Moscow between 1554 and 1560 by Tsar Ivan IV (the Terrible), as a votive offering for his military victories over the khanates of Kazan and Astrakhan. The church was dedicated to the protection and intercession of the Virgin, but it came to be known as the Cathedral of Vasily Blazhenny (St.

Basil the Beatified) after Basil, the Russian holy fool who was “idiotic for Christ’s sake” and who was buried in the church vaults during the reign (1584–98) of Tsar Fyodor I . Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed in Moscow, 1554–60. K. Scholz/H. Armstrong Roberts The church was designed by two Russian architects, Posnik and Barma (who may in fact have been one person). According to popular legend , however, it was built by an Italian architect who was blinded so that he could never create anything that was similar or equal. Interior of St. Basil the Blessed, built on Red Square in Moscow 1554–60. © AbleStock.com/Jupiterimages Ivan IV August 25, 1530 Kolomenskoye, near Moscow [Russia] March 18, 1584 Moscow grand prince of Moscow (1533–84) and the first to be proclaimed tsar of Russia (from 1547). His reign saw the completion of the construction of a centrally administered Russian state and the creation of an empire that...

in Russia: The Muscovite period ...Trinity, now in Moscow’s Tretyakov Gallery, is among the most revered icons ever painted). Russian architects continued to design and build impressive churches, including the celebrated Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed on Moscow’s Red Square. Built to commemorate the Russian capture of Kazar, the Tatar capital, St. Basil’s is a perfect example of the confluence of Byzantine and... in Western architecture: Kievan Rus and Russia ...were the Church of the Ascension at Kolomenskoye (now a suburb of Moscow; 1532), the Church of the Decapitation of St. John the Baptist at Dyakovo (c. 1532), and, above all, the cathedral of St. Basil (Vasily) the Blessed (the Pokrovsky Cathedral) in Moscow (1554–60). More about Saint Basil the Blessed 3 References found in Britannica Articles Assorted References Corrections? Updates? Help us improve this article! Contact our editors with your feedback. MEDIA FOR: You have successfully emailed this. Error when sending the email. Try again later.

Edit Mode Submit Tips For Editing We welcome suggested improvements to any of our articles. You can make it easier for us to review and, hopefully, publish your contribution by keeping a few points in mind. Encyclopædia Britannica articles are written in a neutral objective tone for a general audience. You may find it helpful to search within the site to see how similar or related subjects are covered. Any text you add should be original, not copied from other sources. At the bottom of the article, feel free to list any sources that support your changes, so that we can fully understand their context. (Internet URLs are the best.) Your contribution may be further edited by our staff, and its publication is subject to our final approval. Unfortunately, our editorial approach may not be able to accommodate all contributions. Submit Thank You for Your Contribution! Our editors will review what you've submitted, and if it meets our criteria, we'll add it to the article. Please note that our editors may make some formatting changes or correct spelling or grammatical errors, and may also contact you if any clarifications are needed. Uh Oh There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Close Article Title: Saint Basil the Blessed Website Name: Encyclopædia Britannica Date Published: August 19, 2010 URL: Access Date: December 16, 2016 Share Saint Basil's Cathedral and Red Square - Overview Saint Basil's Cathedral and Red Square Overview Highlights / General details Saint Basil the Blessed, also called Pokrovsky Cathedral, church constructed on Red Square in Moscow between 1554 and 1560 by Tsar Ivan IV (the Terrible), as a votive offering for his military victories over the khanates of Kazan and Astrakhan. The church was dedicated to the protection and intercession of the Virgin, but it came to be known as the Cathedral of Vasily Blazhenny (St. Basil the Beatified) after Basil, the Russian holy fool who was “idiotic for Christ’s sake” and who was buried in the church vaults during the reign (1584–98) of Tsar Fyodor I. Inclusion Entrance Fees; Guided Tour (Languages available: English, French and German); Taxes; Transportation (From selected hotels).

Hours of operation Available daily, except 1st Wednesday of every month. May-October: 11:00am to 6:00pm; November-April: 11:00am to 5:00pm. Duration St. Basil's Cathedral Moscow | Russia - Local Life Local Life St. Basil's Cathedral has 0 votes. Click here to see the results. You can vote once a day for your favourite place. Your name Your message to St. Basil's Cathedral * * all fields are required Editor's review The most recognisable building in the whole of Russia, St. Basil's Cathedral (or 'The Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed', to give it it's full title), can be found standing resplendent on the south-east end of Red Square . A truly magnificent mix of Western and Eastern architecture, St. Basil's was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible to celebrate his capture of Kazan. Finished by Postnik Yakovlev in 1561, Ivan is rumoured to have had the architect blinded afterwards, in order to prevent him ever producing anything so magnificent ever again. If only Stalin had done the same! Editor Tell your friends about this place!

Email (optional) Christina from United States Reply Mar 27th, 2013 It is a beautiful structure and as I survey its majestic likeness in a photograph, it reminds me of my Russian ancestry, and makes me long to return once again. bobbbbbb from United States Reply Sep 22nd, 2009 RUSSIA IS AWESOME Joran from Norway Reply Jun 15th, 2008 Best seen from a distance. A quite marvellous building perfectly placed in the rear of the square. Went inside, the best part was listening to a choir singing. Otherwise not so very interesting. John from Malta Reply Nov 2nd, 2007 I went to Moscow 7 times all in the USSR.it was very beautiful city Stefan from Germany Reply Oct 19th, 2006 Amazing!!! Everything you imagine it would be. St Basil's is the most spectacular piece of architecture in Moscow Ambrose from France Reply Mar 16th, 2006 Not much to look at from the inside, and often has some scaffolding on the outside. Still absolutely brilliant. I took about forty photos!

Moscow Guide: St Basil's Cathedral - GUYS² | Private Guides in Moscow | GUYS²: Moscow Private Guides, Tours and Service May 19 Moscow Guide: St Basil’s Cathedral BACK St Basil’s Cathedral: History One of my favourite place to visit in Moscow is – St Basil’s Cathedral. I believe the most notable and famous all around the world about Russia. During every Moscow private guided tour me or my sister show our guests this amazing cathedral. Also we know some spots in Moscow from which you can make beautiful pictures of the Kremlin, St Basil’s Cathedral and The Red Square at once. This is the best-known church in Moscow — St Basil’s Cathedral or the Cathedral of the Protection of Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat, is located on the Red Square next to the Kremlin wall. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage List . This cathedral is jointly used by the State Historical Museum and the Russian orthodox Church, and thus religious services are conducted there from time to time. Its history goes back to the time when Ivan the Terrible was the supreme ruler of Russia. The St Basil’s Cathedral was built in 1555-1561, to commemorate the successful termination of the Kazan military campaigns.

Its smaller churches were consecrated to honor the saints at whose days important victories were achieved, and the main church, which is located in the center of the complex and is taller than the rest, was dedicated to the holy day of the Protection of Most Holy Theotokos — that was the day when city Kazan was taken. The church complex consists of nine churches erected on the same foundation. In 1558, one more church was added to them: it was built over the burial place of the famous Moscow “holy fool of Christ”, Vasily (English – Basil) the blessed, formally canonized at that time. Since the St Basil’s Cathedral had a special status, parishioners came for worship to the smaller St Basil’s church. This name was referred to very often and eventually it replaced the title of the whole church complex. The cathedral of the Protection of Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat is not just one of the most beautiful buildings in Moscow, it is also a most interesting museum with a very rich collection.

During Soviet times it was on the list of Soviet government to be demolished as other cathedrals and churches in Russia but survived due to Russian scientist – Pyotr Baranovsky If you want to book the tour and visit St Basil’s Cathedral, please send us email . St Basil’s Cathedral: Plan St Basil’s Cathedral was completed in 1561. It is reputed to have been designed be the architect Postnik Yakovlev. According to the legend, Ivan the Terrible was so amazed at the beauty of his work that he had him blinded so that he would never be able to design anything as exquisite again. The church was officially called the Cathedral of the Intercession because the final siege of Kazan began on the Feast of the Intercession of the Virgin. The cathedral’s design which was inspired by traditional Russian timber architecture is a riot of gables, tent roofs and twisting onion domes. 1. Domes: Following a fire in 1583 the original helmet-shaped cupolas were replaced by ribbed of faceted onion domes. It is only since 1670 that the domes have been painted many colors; at one time St Basil’s Cathedral was white with golden domes. 2. Chapel of St.

Cyprian: This is one of the eight main chapels commemorating the campaigns of Ivan the Terrible against town of Kazan, to the east of Moscow, It is dedicated to St. Cyprian, whose feast is on October 2, the day after the last attack 3. The Chapel of St Basil: The ninth chapel to be added to the cathedral, was built in 1588 to house the remains of the “holy fool”, Basil the Blessed 7. Gallery: Running around the outside of the Central Chapel, the gallery connects it to the other eight chapels. It was roofed over at the end of the 17th century and the walls and ceilings were decorated with floral tiles in the late 18th century 8. The Chapel of the Entry of Christ into Jerusalem: Was used as a ceremonial entrance during the annual Palm Sunday procession. On this day the patriarch rode from the Kremlin to St Basil’s Cathedral on horse dressed up to look like a donkey 11. Main Iconostasis: The Baroque-style iconostasis in the Central Chapel of the Intercession dates from the 19th century.

However, some of the icons contained in it were painted much earlier 16. Minin and Pozharsky Monument: A bronze statue by Ivan Martos depicts two heroes from the Time of Troubles, the butcher Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky. They raised a volunteer force to fight the invading Poles and in 1612 led their army to victory when they drove the Poles out of the Kremlin, The statue was erected in 1818 in the triumphal afterglow of the Napoleonic Wars Originally placed in the center of the Red Square facing the Kremlin it was moved to its present site in front of St Basil;s during Soviet era by the order of Stalin. St Basil’s Cathedral: Views Russian Orthodox Churches: How To Behave In A Russian Orthodox Church Inside the church, certain rules must be observed, especially during worship. It is forbidden to make noise, talk loudly, look closely at the worshippers or take their pictures, and enter the altar part of the church. The dress code must also be observed: your dress should not be too revealing, and it may not have anti-Christian symbols in its design and pattern.

It is not permitted to smoke on the premises, drink alcohol or visit the church in an inebriated condition; no swearing or use of foul language is tolerated either. Rules for believers are even stricter: upon entering the church, men take off their hats while women, on the contrary, cover their heads. It is generally considered appropriate for a woman to enter the church in a skirt of a sufficient length, avoiding pants or slacks, and without makeup. If you are not a believer, do not cross yourself, bow, or light candles “just to be polite”. Those around you understand very well that their church may be a historical landmark, so the best a church visitor can do is not interfere with other people’s prayer. Location: Red Square Operation Hours: 11.00am-06.00pm; Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun Closed every first Monday of each month Admission Fee: 350RUB (you can make pictures inside of the Cathedral) St Basil’s Cathedral through ages Inside St. Basil's on Red Square | Russia Beyond The Headlines Inside St.

Basil's on Red Square August 13, 2012 William Brumfield Composed of churches grouped around a central tower, the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin on the Moat, otherwise known as St. Basil’s, has served as a symbol of unifying power since its completion in the mid 16th-century. But it is on the interior that the churches that make up the complex reveal their elaborate complexity. Facebook moscow , culture , architecture , discovering russia On the interior the churches of St. Basil's reveal their elaborate complexity. All photographs by William Brumfield During the 1950s, an examination of the interior of the central Intercession Church uncovered an inscription that proclaimed the dedication of the church on June 29, 1561 in honor of the Holy Trinity and in the presence of the Tsar Ivan IV (the Terrible), the tsareviches Ivan and Fedor, and Metropolitan Macarius. (The surrounding, lesser churches had been consecrated in 1560.) The restoration of this interior also revealed a geometric decorative pattern.

View Larger Map Most of the interiors of the component churches of the cathedral were painted brick red, with white seams limned to resemble the mortar - a technique known as pod kirpich, or “like brick.” This practice, imported from Italy, was also applied to the brick exterior. The paint not only protected the walls from moisture seepage but also enhanced the color of the surface. Although at least half of the ensemble's churches later acquired wall paintings, the original brick pattern still exists in some of the interiors. The tops of the chapels usually culminated in a pinwheel spiral on the vaulting beneath the cupola. The interior of the larger Intercession tower (151 feet in height from the floor) has elaborate decoration and culminates with a barely visible image of Mary and the Christ Child. The primary entrance to the ensemble is the west church, dedicated to the Entry of Christ into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The west church can also be seen as a symbol the triumphal entry of Ivan the Terrible into Kazan.

The association of the two events – Kazan and Jerusalem –led as early as 1557 to the institution of an annual ritual in which the tsar, led on a horse caparisoned as a donkey, simulated the Palm Sunday procession. The ritual at first was circumscribed by the Kremlin cathedrals, but evidently by 1559 the procession was reoriented beyond the Kremlin to the Trinity Church, under construction as the eastern chapel of the enlarged Intercession Cathedral. The inference is that the new shrine represented the sacred city of Zion. Indeed, the Intercession Cathedral was often called simply "Jerusalem," a designation recorded in the 17th century by Western visitors to Moscow such as Adam Olearius. Of the other six churches, four were symbolically related to the Kazan campaign. The northwest church is dedicated to Bishop Gregory of Armenia because two major events preceding the Battle of Kazan occurred on his feast day, Sept. 30: the defeat of a sortie of enemy troops on the Field of Arsk, and the spectacular explosion of the Arsk Tower, one of the main bastions of the city. The north tower, dedicated to Sts.

Cyprian and Ustinia commemorates the completion of the conquest after the storming of the city the preceding day. The northeast church, dedicated to three Byzantine patriarchs (Alexander, John, and Paul), represents the victory on Aug. 30 over the Tatar cavalry led by Prince Epancha, thus eliminating a major threat to the siege of Kazan. This battle appears to be commemorated again in the southeast church, dedicated to St. Alexander of Svir. The remaining two churches - both on the south flank – refer to the tsar's family. The dedication of the southwest church to St. Varlaam of the Khutynskii Monastery near Novgorod commemorates the tsar's father, Basil III, who shortly before his death assumed the traditional role of monk and adopted the name Varlaam. The south tower is dedicated to the icon of St. Nicholas of Velikoretsk (after the River Velikaia in the area of Pskov), a venerated image brought to Moscow; certain monks in Pskov played a role in formulating the mission of Muscovite autocracy. When all of the original churches are accounted for, there is still the popular name of the temple.

Basil the Blessed (1469-1552) was a Muscovite yurodivy – or "fool in Christ" – revered by the tsar himself as well as by the common people for his saintliness, his gift of prophecy, and his courage. By coincidence Basil, or Vasily, died in the year of the taking of Kazan, and a wooden shrine in his honor was erected to the east of the original Trinity Church. The shrine was maintained during the building of the Intercession Cathedral, and in 1588 it was replaced with the small brick Chapel of Basil the Blessed, attached to the northeast corner of the cathedral. Despite the modest size of the church in relation to the surrounding towers, the cult of Basil grew to such proportions as to usurp in common usage all of the cathedral's previous designations, official or unofficial. Read more: Discover Russia The expansion of the Cathedral of the Intercession over the next three centuries began with the addition of the Basil the Blessed Chapel and the onion domes at the end of the 16th century. This process reached its culmination in the 17th century with the enclosure of the terrace.

Around 1680, the large free-standing bell tower at the southeast corner of the cathedral was reconstructed in a 17th-century ornamental style, with polychromatic decoration and a tent roof of ceramic tile. Much of the painted ornamentation on the exterior walls, particularly of the new gallery, was also added in the latter part of the century. The cupolas were brightly painted in a renovation of the cathedral during the 1780s. As the major cathedral in one of the most populous sections of Moscow, the Intercession, or Trinity, Cathedral – or the Temple of Basil the Blessed, or simply Jerusalem—has stood like a massive outcropping swept by waves of rebuilding and retaining some of the modifications, but never losing the form that celebrated the rise of Muscovy—and Russia itself. Facebook Moscow Kremlin grounds, cathedrals, Red Square, visit to St.

Basil’s Cathedral, Manezh Square - 21st World Petroleum Congress 21st World Petroleum Congress Time: 09:00-12:45 Price: 55 EUR per pax The Moscow Kremlin is worldwide known as the main sightseeing of Moscow, a foundation of Russia’s political power with a great historical importance. The Kremlin is a heart of a huge country, a place of residence of numerous kings, patriarchs and communists. It is the chief architectural ensemble of the city. From the 13th century to the founding of St Petersburg, the Moscow Kremlin was directly and tangibly associated with every major event in Russian history. Along the South wall of the Kremlin, overlooking the Moscow River, you will find the Grand Kremlin Palace. Within the Kremlin there is a Cathedral Square, the so-called "City of God". The famous Tsar Bell and Tsar Cannon are there, too. Six buildings, including three enormous cathedrals edge the square. Most of them are the works of Italian architects during the late 15th and early 16th Century.

Today, the Kremlin is not only one of the largest and most interesting museums in the world, but also the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation, the Kremlin is the perfect place to begin your tour of Moscow. Kremlin cathedrals If the heart of Russia is Kremlin, then its soul is Cathedral Square (also called as "The City of God"), the oldest area within the Kremlin territory. Its six buildings, including three enormous cathedrals (the Assumption's, Annunciation's and Archangel's Cathedral), edge the square. Most of them belong to the work of Italian architects of the late 15th and early 16th centuries. For six centuries the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin remained the main church of Russia, where heirs of the throne were crowned, state acts were disclosed, metropolitans and patriarchs were elected. The cathedral was the burial place of the Moscow patriarchs and metropolitans. In the southwestern part of the cathedral square rise the nine-golden domes of the elegant Cathedral of the Annunciation.

The cathedral was built in 1484-1489 by Pskov craftsmen as the house-fortress of the great prince of Moscow, where wedding ceremonies and christening of children took place. The Cathedral was built in the tradition of Moscow old style architecture. The Archangel's Cathedral was built in the XVI century. It was the burial place of the Moscow Princes and Tsars. This tradition continued until the end of XVII century. In the old days there was a custom before the campaigns and after successful battles: Muscovite princes came to the cemetery, and worshiped the ashes of their ancestors. The cathedral's pillars and walls are covered with portraits of Moscow leaders and their glorious ancestors. Red Square is the heart not only of Moscow, but of the whole Russia. Originally a commercial centre, Red Square has been at the very centre of Russian history since the 15th century, from Ivan the Terrible’s confession of his misdeeds to the people in 1550, to great demonstrations, executions and the great parades of the Soviet Union’s military might. Ironically, “krasny” originally meant beautiful and only came to mean red in the last century.

From the time of Ivan the Great the square was used as a huge gathering place for public events, markets, fairs and festivals. Encompassing an area of over 70,000 sq metres it is bounded by the Kremlin, the Historical museum and GUM department store, the shopping arcade that was completed in 1893. Manezh Square is a large pedestrian open space at the heart of Moscow bound by the Hotel Moskva to the east, the State Historical Museum and the Alexander Garden to the south, the Moscow Manege to the west, and the 18th century headquarters of the Moscow State University to the north. The square forms a vital part of downtown Moscow, connecting Red Square (which sprawls behind the Iberian Gate immediately to the south) with a major traffic artery, Tverskaya Street, which starts here and runs northward in the direction of Saint Petersburg. It is served by three metro stations: Okhotny Ryad, Ploshchad Revolyutsii, and Teatralnaya.

The Manezh square is the site of an underground shopping mall that opened in 1997 and contains four levels of stores carrying furs, jewelry, cigars, clothes and other consumer goods. St.Basil’s Cathedral or the Cathedral of the Intercession, as it is called officially, was constructed in 1560 by the order of Ivan the Terrible to commemorate the liberation from the Tatar-Mongol domination. Its original design belongs to the two architects from Pskov – Barma and Postnik. The composition of the cathedral- 9 chapels placed on a single foundation – symbolizes Russia’s victory in the struggle against Tatar-Mongols. Today cathedral is a museum containing an exhibition dedicated to the history of its construction. It contains the icon stand of the Trinity Church and the famous icon “Entry into Jerusalem”. All tours start and finish at the Metropol Hotel (address: Teatralny Proezd 2). The tour is non-private. The rate includes English speaking guide, entrance fees and VAT 18%. Delegates are to assemble at the pick-up point 15 minutes prior to tour departure time. The deadline for online booking and payment is 7 May 2014.

The tour booking will not be confirmed until 100% prepayment is received. Once the tour has been paid in full, it may be replaced by another tour of an equivalent cost or higher no later than 7 May 2014. For any replacements please contact us in writing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The difference in cost of the earlier booked tour will be reimbursed by the Organiser within 60 days after the closing of the event. In case payment was made by a bank transfer, bank fees will not be refunded. TERMS OF CANCELLATION Tour can be cancelled without penalties no later than 7 May 2014. Cancellations must be made in writing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . After 7 May 2014 no refunds will be made for the tour once it has been booked and paid in full. Refunds will be reimbursed by the Organiser within 60 days after the closing of the event. In case payment was made by a bank transfer, bank fees will not be refunded.

No refunds will be granted for no-shows and late comers. Please select the relevant options below: Not yet registered? Please book your tour when registering as a delegate: If you have already registered as a delegate please return to your registration and book your tour: Saint Basil's Cathedral and Red Square - Overview Saint Basil's Cathedral and Red Square shares Overview Highlights / General details Saint Basil the Blessed, also called Pokrovsky Cathedral, church constructed on Red Square in Moscow between 1554 and 1560 by Tsar Ivan IV (the Terrible), as a votive offering for his military victories over the khanates of Kazan and Astrakhan. The church was dedicated to the protection and intercession of the Virgin, but it came to be known as the Cathedral of Vasily Blazhenny (St. Basil the Beatified) after Basil, the Russian holy fool who was “idiotic for Christ’s sake” and who was buried in the church vaults during the reign (1584–98) of Tsar Fyodor I. Inclusion Entrance Fees; Guided Tour (Languages available: English, French and German); Taxes; Transportation (From selected hotels).

Hours of operation Available daily, except 1st Wednesday of every month. May-October: 11:00am to 6:00pm; November-April: 11:00am to 5:00pm. Duration Inside St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow Inside St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow Twitter St. Basil’s Cathedral is Russia’s most famous tourist attraction. Find out what’s hidden inside. Russia has known 75 years of communism. From 1917 until 1992 the stalinist regime systematically suppressed the religious views of the population. It’s rather ironic that the most readily recognized symbol of Mother Russia was and still is the St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow. The ten iconic belfries mark the south end of the equally famous Red Square. Strangest of all: very few people know what hides within the building that has been often described as ‘a bonfire rising into the sky‘! I explored the breathtaking Cathedral this winter and will take you along on my tour! So take my hand and let’s get going, shall we? ______________ Planing a visit to Moscow?

Make sure to check out my guide to Kremlin – Moscow’s ancient heart History of the St. Basil’s Cathedral Before I set out to visit St. Basil’s Cathedral, I did my homework. Wikipedia and an old hardcover travel guide from my grandpa revealed some fascinating facts. I’ll dispense with the details (and urge you to read them at you own leisure) and just mention a few highlights I feel like you might want to know. The construction of St. Basil’s Cathedral started in 1552. Back then the infamous czar Ivan the Terrible commissioned the landmark to commemorate his various victories during the Russo-Kazan War. For each victory he added one church. This is one of the lesser known details about St. Basil’s Cathedral: Strictly speaking it is not one big Cathedral but rather an agglomerate of 9 different chapels and one mausoleum! I didn’t know that before either. I just assumed there would be plenty of apses inside forming one big nave! But boy was I wrong! Instead you’ll find 10 little altars like the one above – all in their own chapel. Another misleading fact is the name itself.

The Cathedral was originally known as Trinity Church, while the main sanctuary within is dedicated to the Intercession of Mary. However the last addition of the church, the 10th chapel, is home to the grave of saint Vasily, who also goes by the name St. Basil. The saint that died during the construction of the Church was very popular among the locals, and so the sacred complex as a whole became known as St. Basil’s Cathedral ever since. In truth, however, the tomb of St. Basil is just one of the minor chapels and no cathedral at all. Outside St. Basil’s Cathedral St. Basil’s Cathedral stands freely on the south end of the Red Square. So it really doesn’t matter from which direction you approach. In fact I recommend you to take your time and walk around the whole building once. Know that the UNESCO World Heritage Site is most beautiful from outside. Passing by St. Basil’s Cathedral the Red Square leads down to the Moskva river on a gentle slope. This will give you a spectacular view on the colorful building – totally unobstructed by the ubiquitous touristic hordes! Now I want to throw one last bit of history at you.

Like I already laid out St. Basil’s Church was built to celebrate the victory over the Khanate of Kazan. So essentially the building is said to reflect the then conceived dominance of Christianity over the Muslims. Today you will find many other orthodox churches that look like St. Basil’s Cathedral (e.g. the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg). But back at the end of the 16th century the building was without precedent. It is believed that St. Basil’s Church quotes elements from the Qolşärif Mosque in Kazan that was destroyed during Ivan the Terrible’s conquest. While this theory certainly remains highly debated among scholars, I found the analogy fitting. Looking at the intricate woodwork of the onion shaped spires I cannot help but think of a tile covered mosques with its minarets reaching to the sky. At any rate there are old records indicating that German and Italian craftsmen helped to erect the church, adding even more elements to the stylist diversity. Inside St. Basil’s Cathedral Once you are finished taking pictures outside, I’d urge you to go to the main entrance. You will reach it going through a door on the side facing Red Square.

Now I visited Moscow in winter and had absolutely no problem with buying the tickets nor with getting in. There was literally no queue at all. I heard that during summer it will be quite hard to get in. So best be there as early as possible. The insides of the Cathedral form a harsh contrast to the cosmopolitan facade. Within you will be able to explore a very narrow labyrinth of corridors and tiny oratories. Each spire you see from the outside belongs to its own church. These small chapels consist of little more than the foundation of the spire and a door. It is very, very cramped! I honestly couldn’t believe how winded it all was. The walls are, however, meticulously painted with intricate floral designs and Christian motifs. Personally speaking I really didn’t like the decoration all too much. The self-imposed stylistic limitations of Russian iconostases are beyond me. But that might just be me. It’s fun, however, to explore the inner maze of St. Basil’s church, for it is a maze in truth! You might actually get lost (I at least did!). Also take the time, as you will involuntarily do anyway, to frequently take a glance at the splendor above.

The tiny chapels, some of them barely spanning 10 square meters, don’t have a true apse. It is the hollow spires themselves that serve in this function. Some of the spectacular murals will give you the uncanny impression that the depicted saints are truly watching over you from above. There are small signs all around the Cathedral tracing out a tour for you. Just follow these, and you will eventually find your way to the outside again. The exit will be through the door under the square green steeple at the front, which probably used to be the Main entrance once. Opening Hours and Tickets for St. Basil’s Cathedral Museum attendant inside St. Basil’s Cathedral taking a nap next to the exit The Cathedral opens at 10 am and closes at 5 pm. Be aware that St. Basil will be closed the first Wednesday of any given month. Other than the St. Basil’s Cathedral is open seven days a week 365 days a year. It is important to understand that it is not an active church anymore. It has been forcefully secularized by the Soviets in 1928 and then turned into a museum. Tickets will be 350 Rubel for an adult. Is St.

Basil’s Church worth visiting? St. Basil’s Cathedral (and me) at night Okay here is the deal: Visiting Moscow there is no way around St. Basil’s Cathedral – none whatsoever. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a reason. I’ll even go as far as saying that nobody can claim to have seen Moscow without having seen St. Basil’s Cathedral. But, and here comes the big but, the outstanding building only gets an average score for its interiors. There are so many churches, cathedrals, monasteries and convents in Russia. In fact just a couple of hundred meters away the Kremlin is home to a handful of them. In my humble opinion there are more impressive sights in Moscow than the cramped corridors of St. Basil’s Cathedral (check out this guide on the most important attractions in Moscow ). Calculate roughly 30-60 minutes to tour the insides of St. Basil’s Cathedral. If there is no queue outside and you aren’t on a tight schedule, there is probably no need to skip this museum. I found the interior of the Churches within the grounds of the Kremlin to be more impressive though and would exclusively stick to these on my next visit. What are your thoughts?

Would you go inside? TAGS

Question: To which saint is the Cathedral in Red Square dedicated?
Answer: St Basil